The Marine Harvest Premiership title race took another twist and the Inveraray second team lifted the Bullough Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 5 August 2017.

Bullough Cup Final

Strachur 0 Inveraray 3

The Inveraray second team won the Bullough Cup, beating Strachur 3-0 in the final at Strachurmore on Saturday 5 August 2017.

The sides occupy the top two positions in Marine Harvest South Division 2 and both beat good teams on the way to the final.

A large crowd gathered for the game with the majority supporting Strachur.

Strachur won the toss of the coin to host the final and the wet weather which hit most of the area stayed away for the duration of the game.

Des McNulty was the match referee for this 3pm throw up.

Strachur made the better start and they were certainly up for the game.

Inveraray full centre David MacPherson and his opposite number Stuart Robertson – the pair were formerly Inveraray team mates – had an enthralling battle in the middle of the park.

Inveraray had keeper and player / manager Graham MacPherson to thank for some good stops, particularly a reflex save from a deflected shot, and the first half ended scoreless.

Graham MacPherson made what was to prove to be a significant change, bringing Euan McMurdo off the bench in place of Kenny Kirkhope with the youthful Campbell Watt going onto the wing.

The change paid immediate dividends as the second half was just 5 minutes old when Inveraray’s David Robertson scored from the edge of the D after some good forward play.

It now only looked as if there would be one winner and Campbell Watt set up Euan McMurdo to make it 2-0 on 68 minutes.

Russell McKinlay made sure of the win a couple of minutes later when he added a third with a well-struck shot following a set-piece.

Strachur fought hard for the whole 90 minutes and as well as contributing to an exciting final, they can be delighted with the strides the club has taken this season after their one-year sabbatical from competitive shinty.

The winning Inveraray squad was a real mix of youth and experience with nine U21 players and nine over 34 year old players, including seven Camanachd Cup winners.

Camanachd Association Chieftain Jock Turner was on hand to present the Bullough Cup to 18 year old Inveraray captain Allan Cameron

The sides return to Strachurmore this coming Saturday for a crucial league clash.

Marine Harvest Premiership

Kingussie 1 Newtonmore 1

Newtonmore’s title chances suffered a blow when a late Ryan Borthwick goal earned Kingussie a 1-1 draw in their derby meeting at The Dell on Friday 4 August 2017.

This 6pm throw up was broadcast live on BBC Alba and, as well as there being two league points up for grabs, the teams also contested the annual Sir Tommy MacPherson Memorial Cup.

Robert Mabon was able to assume his usual defensive role for the Kings as his one match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold didn’t begin until the following day. Captain Ryan Borthwick started on the bench.

Evan Menzies returned to the Newtonmore squad after serving a two-match suspension and he also started on the bench alongside Andy MacKintosh. Injury continued to rule out Drew MacDonald and Chris Sellar. David MacLean came back into the Newtonmore starting line-up and Iain Richardson continued in midfield.

A good crowd gathered for this encounter despite the wet weather and the steady rain continued throughout the match.

Newtonmore won the first corner of the match following which Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson made a smart stop from Jamie Robinson’s 20 yard shot.

Glen MacKintosh then hit the post, to the keeper’s right, following a scramble inside the D after Jamie Robinson’s initial shot was blocked.

Play switched to the other end and Ackie MacRae did well to block Savio Genini’s attempted strike from the edge of the D.

A huge Norman Campbell goal-hit sent Michael Russell on a goalwards run down the left channel but the home defence covered well to thwart the danger.

When Iain Robinson found Fraser MacKintosh midway through the first half, Craig Dawson saved MacKintosh’s shot, low to his right with his caman, at the expense of a corner.

Play quickly switched to the other end and the Newtonmore goal survived a scramble with the ball cleared out for a corner.

Kingussie’s James Hutchison was booked for kicking the ball away after dropping his caman in a challenge with Glen MacKintosh.

Kingussie’s Robert Mabon made a determined run forward, cutting inside and his shot went just wide.

Kingussie were having a good spell and Savio Genini took a Roddy Young pass and turned Ackie MacRae but shot wide, not realising that he had more time as MacRae had dropped his caman.

David MacLean was booked for a late challenge on Rory MacGregor who was too quick for his opponent.

Kingussie forced a couple of free-hits at the angle of the D but they were unable to get a strike at goal and Savio Genini tugged a shot wide a couple of minutes later.

Newtonmore responded and Glen MacKintosh’s shot from the right flashed across goal with just 4 first half minutes remaining.

Newtonmore continued to press and the closest we came to a first half goal was when Glen MacKintosh won the ball around 30 yards out. He found David MacLean who flicked a looping ball to Iain Robinson and he lifted the ball goalwards from the left of the D but it came back off the crossbar and Kingussie cleared the danger.

Craig Dawson got his body behind an Iain Robinson drive as Newtonmore finished the first half strongly but the opening period ended goalless.

Kingussie introduced Ryan Borthwick in place of Alexander Michie from the restart.

Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald needed treatment after a solid midfield challenge from Roddy Young but he carried on

Newtonmore carved out another opportunity and Iain Robinson took a great first touch but then missed his hit after Glen MacKintosh had played him in.

A good Ryan Borthwick run, cutting in from the left, created a home chance but Lee Bain unable to get a shot in from the right.

The breakthrough came on 58 minutes. Fraser MacKintosh took a quick free-hit, wide on the ‘More right after he had been impeded. MacKintosh played the ball into the middle where Michael Russell had burst forward. Russell took a touch to his right before giving the keeper no chance, sending the ball soaring high into the net from just outside the D.

The rain continued to fall and Kingussie made a switch in midfield as Rory MacGregor came off with Alexander Michie returning.

Craig Dawson stuck out a caman to his left to turn away a Fraser MacKintosh drive which came after a good passing move although the final shot did look to be going wide.

Fraser MacKintosh took a touch inside before shooting across goal with just 8 minutes remaining.

However Kingussie levelled a minute later. Alexander Michie’s free-hit from the right of midfield was aimed at the heart of the ‘More defence and Lee Bain knocked the ball back to Roddy Young who lofted the ball to his left where Ryan Borthwick took a touch before blasting high into the net 1-1.

Newtonmore’s Fraser MacKintosh was replaced by Andy MacKintosh.

Kingussie created a late chance when Ruaridh Anderson played a ball into the danger-area in but keeper Norman Campbell came off line to block Lee Bain’s attempt with a minute remaining.

Fraser MacKintosh replaced Iain Richardson for the latter stages but there was no further scoring.

A penalty shoot-out followed to decide the destiny of the Sir Tommy MacPherson Memorial Cup

Kingussie won the toss and went first but Savio Genini sent his attempt high and wide of the target.

Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald found the net, in-off the keeper, to put ‘More ahead.

Chris Holleysong’s spot-hit went in off the keeper’s foot whilst Glen MacKintosh’s waist-height strike made it 2-1.

Roddy Young steered the ball wide of keeper’s right post and Conor Jones saw his attempt saved with his feet by Craig Dawson so Newtonmore retained their 2-1 advantage.

Lee Bain beat the keeper at his left side and Fraser MacKintosh did like-wise to make it 3-2

Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson stepped up next and he had to score Kingussie’s final penalty. However he didn’t connect as he would have liked and the ball skewed wide of goal.

The shoot-out win was almost secondary though. Newtonmore had dropped a crucial league point, leaving them six points behind Kinlochshiel with a game in hand.

Kilmallie went in to the match knowing they had already beaten Kinlochshiel at the same venue in the MacTavish Cup semi-finals.

However Kinlochshiel had only dropped four points in their previous twelve fixtures so this was always going to be an uphill battle for Mark MacPherson’s depleted side.

John MacRae opened the scoring on 26 minutes with a well-hit shot from just left of the penalty spot.

Keith MacRae made it 2-0 on the half hour mark when he got on the end of a free-hit played across and MacRae knocked the ball past the keeper before tapping it into the net.

Keith MacRae got his second and ‘Shiel’s third just 5 minutes later. Oliver MacRae played a ball across from the right and MacRae faked a shot on this left before cutting back on his right side and he hit a hard mid-height strike onto net.

With 5 first half minutes remaining, Jordan Fraser gathered the ball around 22 yards out on the ‘Shiel right. Fraser played the ball back to Finlay MacRae and his powerful, low, first-time shot sent the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

Keith MacRae completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes into the second half when he collected John MacRae’s lay-off from just past the penalty spot before carrying the ball past full back into space on the right where he hit a low shot past keeper Shane Gillies to make it 5-0.

Kinlochshiel remain two points ahead of Kyles Athletic at the top of the table but Kyles have a game in hand.

Kinlochshiel have five league matches to go. They host Glasgow Mid Argyll a week Saturday and there is then a two week gap before they head to The Eilan to face Newtonmore. The following two Saturdays bring home fixtures against Glenurquhart and Kyles Athletic whilst Kinlochshiel are scheduled to finish the season against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield on Saturday 7 October 2017.

Kyles Athletic 5 Lochaber 0

Kyles Athletic show no signs of faltering in their title bid as they beat Lochaber 5-0 at Tighnabruaich.

Kyles were still without the injured Innes MacDonald but Lochaber’s Stuart Callison was free of his one game suspension.

Gordon Whyte settled Kyles into the game with a goal after just 6 minutes.

Colin MacDonald on 34 minutes and Roddy MacDonald on 38 minutes made it 3-0 at the break.

Two late strikes put gloss on the win with Grant Irvine on 83 minutes and Scott MacDonald on 88 minutes rounding off the 5-0 victory.

Kyles Athletic have six league matches remaining starting with a home clash with Glenurquhart this Saturday. They face Kingussie at The Dell at the end of the month before an away meeting with Lovat on Saturday 9 September 2017. The following two Saturdays could be crucial – at home to Newtonmore and away to Kinlochshiel before they also finish off the season on Saturday 7 October 2017 when Glasgow Mid Argyll visit Tighnabruaich.

GMA’s Mark Bain served a one match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold.

Oban Camanachd’s Garry Lord served the final game of his two match suspension which makes him available for this coming weekend’s crucial Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final against Lovat at An Aird. However injury ruled out both Matt Rippon and Daniel MacVicar.

Oban Camanachd manager Iain Hay was on holiday so Christopher Eccleston looked after the side.

Andrew MacCuish opened the scoring after 6 minutes when he ran into D, holding off a couple of players before slipping the ball past former Lochside Rovers keeper Robert Dunnings in the GMA goal.

Oban Camanachd doubled their lead on 21 minutes when they broke up the left side of the pitch. Andrew MacCuish switched play to the right of D where Malcolm Clark was on hand to smash the ball into the left side-netting.

The visitor’s third goal came immediately after half-time. Lewis Buchanan’s shot was saved with his feet by keeper Dunnings but the ball spun up in the air to the right of D where Malcolm Clark ran in to knock the ball above his head, high into the left side-netting.

Daniel Cameron made it 4-0 on the hour. The ball came out of the GMA D where Cameron’s strike on the bounce flew into the bottom left corner of the net.

Daniel Cameron got his second with just 6 minutes remaining. Malcolm Clark beat his man on the left before running to the by-line where he crossed into the middle of the D for Daniel Cameron who collected the ball and sent a strike high into the net.

Next up for Oban Camanachd is this weekend’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final tie against Lovat. Manager Iain Hay will be pleased to have Garry Lord free of suspension but Matt Rippon and Daniel MacVicar are major injury doubts. Lovat will be without the injured Scott MacKenzie and the suspended Lorne MacKay for the tie which will be broadcast live on BBC Alba from 4pm.

Marine Harvest National Division

Skye Camanachd 6 Oban Celtic 0

Skye Camanachd go top of the Marine Harvest National Division after they beat Oban Celtic 6-0 at Pairc nan Laoch.

Skye manager Willie Cowie made an enforced change from the squad which beat Beauly in the league a week earlier. Iain Nicolson was working so Gilleasbuig MacDonald started at wing centre and youngster Connor Gilpin came in to take a place on the bench. John Gillies started in defence with Allan MacLeod dropping onto the bench.

Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon didn’t have his problems to seek. Both keepers – Stephen Davidson and Jack Hill – were unavailable so wing back Iain MacFarlane took over between the sticks. Ally McKerracher, Andy Hunt and Robert Alexander were all injured whilst David MacInnes and Connor Howe were amongst the other absentees. The Oban side travelled with just one substitute and boss Wotherspoon started in attack.

The Oban Celtic players made a pre-match presentation to faithful supporters Jim and June Pearson who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with their family arranging a stay on Skye which allowed them to follow their favourite team.

Skye started well but both teams had goals disallowed for offside before the Islanders took the lead. A foul on James Pringle gave Skye a free-hit on the right. Oban Celtic struggled to get the ball away and when Jordan Murchison scooped it goalwards, keeper Iain MacFarlane blocked the ball but Stewart Grant made a great run into the D from wing centre and he knocked the rebound into the net to make it 1-0 after 27 minutes.

Skye’s second also came from a set-piece. Gibbs MacDonald played the free-hit from the middle of the Oban Celtic half, picking out Jordan Murchison who was completely unmarked on the Skye left and Murchison had time to pick his spot and he thundered a shot past a helpless keeper to make it 2-0 with 34 minutes on the clock.

Skye added a third on 49 minutes. James Pringle played the ball to Jordan Murchison and he held off a challenge from Ross MacMillan before sending a return pass to James Pringle on the left and he sent a low, rasping shot into the net.

Will Cowie made it 4-0 with a special goal on 58 minutes. Stewart Grant’s shy from the left was knocked down by Danny Morrison and Cowie blasted an unstoppable shot across the keeper from a tight angle of the left with the ball rising into the top corner of the net.

Skye were now turning on the style and their one touch shinty was a joy to watch. The hosts had another goal disallowed for offside before Danny Morrison made it 5-0 on 62 minutes. Gibbs MacDonald lofted a cross from the right into the goal area and the ball was deflected out as far as Danny Morrison and he struck a glorious 30 yard drive which beat the keeper at his left post.

Substitute Iain MacLellan, who replaced Danny Morrison just a couple of minutes earlier, rounded off the scoring with just 3 minutes remaining when he collected a poor goal-hit and his firm strike beat the keeper on his left side.

Skye’s Stewart Grant put in a man of the match performance in midfield whilst Gibbs MacDonald was also excellent.

Andy MacDonald in defence was best for Oban Celtic. Stand-in keeper Iain MacFarlane didn’t let them down either, making several fine saves including a brilliant point-black stop from Will Cowie.

Skye are now a point ahead of second placed Caberfeidh and both teams have five matches remaining.

Inveraray 4 Fort William 1

A powerful first half performance saw Inveraray beat Fort William 4-1 in their noon throw up at The Winterton.

Inveraray’s Allan MacDonald served the second game of his two match suspension.

Fort William travelled light as they were without the suspended Mark Grant and Graham Campbell. They were also minus the injured Bryan Simpson and Seamus Gall as well as Alexander MacMillan and James Tangney whilst Calum Shepherd was only fit enough to take up a place on the bench and he played in the second half.

The early start allowed the Inveraray players to cheer on their reserve side in the Bullough Cup Final later in the day.

All the goals came in the first half with Fraser Watt on 31 minutes and Lewis MacNicol on 35 minutes making it 2-0.

Fort William’s Scotland U17 player Lewis Clark pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later.

However a quick-fire double from Garry MacPherson on 42 minutes and Lewis Montgomery just 60 seconds later made it 4-1 at the break.

Any chances of a Fort William come-back were dented when Lewis Clark was sent off by referee Graham Cameron.

The win means Inveraray leap-frog Fort William into third place in the league with both sides mow exactly half-way through their league programme.

Marine Harvest North Division 1

Aberdeen University 9 Fort William 1

Aberdeen University defeated the Fort William second team 9-1 at Balgownie.

David Fraser was free of suspension for the Students and Rowan Myers gave them a 5 minute lead.

Ewan Fraser scored twice on 38 and 42 minutes to make it 3-0 before Jay MacLeod pulled a goal back a minute later.

Ewan Fraser took his tally to four goals with quick strikes on 49 and 50 minutes whilst Stuart Cameron made it 7-1 with goals on 55 and 56 minutes.

Gregor Cushnie also grabbed a brace, scoring on 60 and 88 minutes to make the final score 9-1.

Aberdeen University are just a point behind league leaders Newtonmore seconds and both teams have four league fixtures to go including a meeting at The Eilan next month.

Marine Harvest South Division 1

Ballachulish 1 Lochside Rovers 5

The match between Ballachulish and Lochside Rovers at Jubilee Park was brought forward to Wednesday 2 August 2017 with a 7pm throw up.

The midweek fixture was at Ballachulish’s request to allow some of their players to attend the Belladrum Music Festival. However it also suited Lochside Rovers as their cup exploits have left them behind in the fixture scheduling. Indeed Lochside host Kilmory at Ganavan on Wednesday 9 August and they play Kilmory at MacRae Park the following Wednesday as they catch up their matches.

Lochside, who missed Iain MacMillan and Keith Burnett through injury; with the latter suffering a knock in training, fielded the versatile Daniel Sloss in attack despite the fact he’d played most of the season in defence.

And it was Daniel Sloss who put the Oban side ahead after 13 minutes. Sloss got on the end of a corner floated into the danger-area and he took a touch to the side before his half-swing sent the ball into the opposite corner of the net to make it 1-0.

However former Lochside Rovers youth player Pat MacLean drew the sides level with just 10 first half minutes remaining. MacLean’s strike took a deflection and the ball looped high before dropping just under the bar and into the net to make 1-1.

Lochside were below par in the first half and boss Gareth Evans delivered a few choice words at the interval and the team responded, making a strong start to the second period

Gareth Evans made a change on 52 minutes with centre Michael MacQueen and forward Craig MacDougall swapping places. And it proved to be an inspired change with the switch paid dividends a minute later when 14 year old Lennon Campbell, who started the game, place a neat pass to Michael MacQueen who had lost his marker and MacQueen hit a 20 yard shot on the turn which flew into the top corner of the net.

Michael MacQueen got another just 3 minutes later with what was a good team move as passes from Steven Sloss to Lennon Campbell and then to Lewis Buchanan culminated in another good MacQueen finish.

Lochside made 4-1 on 69 minutes when a Daniel Sloss shot was saved by Balla’ keeper Donald Pearce and Lewis Buchanan followed in to force the rebound home.

Lewis Buchanan got his second with a well-worked goal on 75 minutes. Some nice one-touch shinty from Steven Sloss and Michael MacQueen created the opening and as keeper Pearce came out to try and clear the danger, Buchanan nipped in to get to the ball first and he scored.

Lochside’s Evan MacLellan on the wing deserves mention for his performance.

With the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final now unlikely to take place until mid-September, Lochside will concentrate on their league campaign during the weeks ahead.

Aberdour 2 Kilmory 2

A late Roddy MacColl goal earned Aberdour a 2-2 draw with Kilmory at Silversands.

This was Aberdour’s first match since the first day of July and they were missing Alec Mitchell, Cammy MacCue and Craig Grant.

Kilmory went into the game on a good run and were keen to follow up successive wins over Taynuilt, Tayforth and Glenorchy.

However David MacKenzie drew ‘Dour level on 25 minutes when Roddy MacColl played him in to score after some good link-up play from Angus Thorburn and John Martin Philips.

Alex Cunningham restored Kilmory’s lead with another good finish on 40 minutes and there were chances at both ends before Roddy MacColl made it 2-2 with just 7 minutes remaining. Angus Thorburn’s pass picked out Aberdour’s top scorer and MacColl took a touch round defender Bruce Johnston and his shot found the net off the keeper.

Aberdour went for a late winner but Kilmory worked hard and deserved the point which stretches their unbeaten run to four matches. .

Aberdour are now a point ahead of second placed Lochside Rovers but they have played three games more.

Bute 5 Kyles Athletic 1

Bute beat the Kyles Athletic second team 5-1 at The Meadows to close the gap on third placed Tayforth to a single point.

Franco Devlin scored on 7 and 15 minutes for the home side with Ian McDonald adding a third on 35 minutes.

Robert Walker on 70 minutes and James Craig 3 minutes later also counted for the hosts.

The Kyles goal was a well-struck penalty scored by George Thomson.

Bute are now a point behind third placed Tayforth.

Glenorchy P Taynuilt P

The match between Glenorchy and Taynuilt was postponed as Mark Park was unplayable.

Marine Harvest North Division 2

Glengarry 4 Lochcarron 0

Glengarry extended their lead at the top of Marine Harvest North Division 2 with a 4-0 win over Lochcarron at Craigard.

Nick Dalgety made the difference against his former club as his goals on 12 and 19 minutes made it 2-0 at the break.

Nick Dalgety completed his hat-trick with a strike on 64 minutes and Raymond Robertson made it 4-0 with a strike 6 minutes from time.

Glengarry are eight points ahead of the Lochaber seconds who have three games in hand.

The Caberfeidh seconds are also eight points behind but they have four games in hand.

Kilmallie v Strathspey Camanachd W/O

The Kilmallie second team were unable to raise a team for their match against Strathspey Camanachd at The Canal Parks so the visitors were awarded the points.

Marine Harvest South Division 2

Dunoon Camanachd P Oban Lorn P

The match between Dunoon Camanachd and Oban Lorn at The Dunoon Stadium was postponed as the field was unplayable.